Sandal or shoe

ABSTRACT

A sandal is formed from generally flexible materials and preferably configured as a thong. The sandal generally includes an upper sole layer joined to a lower sole layer such that the stitching or other attachment means is turned inward to produce an attractive and durable finished seam. One or more additional layers may be included internally or as an outsole for added durability or comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in its preferred form, is a lightweight sandal formed from generally flexible materials. It is best configured as a thong, but may alternatively have an upper. The shoe generally includes an upper sole layer joined to a lower sole layer such that the stitching is turned inward to produce an attractive and durable finished seam.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred sandal;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of several layers of the sole of the sandal;

FIG. 3 is an internal view of the sandal, indicating thong post stitching;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the sandal during manufacture;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the sandal during manufacture; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sandal during manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a thong sandal formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The thong sandal includes a top sole layer 10 and a bottom sole layer 20. The top sole layer and the bottom sole layer are stitched together along a seam that forms the edge of the sandal. A pair of thong straps 30, 32 are attached to the sole at one end and joined together at the opposite end 34 adjacent the toe of the sole. The toe region of the sole includes an opening, preferably reinforced by an eyelet 36, through which the toe ends 34 of the thong straps are passed.

The top sole and the bottom sole materials are connected together by a stitch that is located inside the finished sandal, thereby presenting a smooth seam along the edge of the sandal. As such, the stitching is substantially not visible in FIG. 1 (depending on the tightness of the stitching and other factors, it may be possible to see some of the stitching). While stitching is the preferred method for joining the layers together, gluing, riveting or other means are also possible.

In its most basic form, the shoe includes only the two layers 10, 20 stitched together as shown and discussed below. In alternate embodiments several additional layers may be included to add strength, durability, cushion and a degree of rigidity. FIG. 2 shows several such layers before they are stitched together, including the top layer 10, one or more internal layers 12 of foam, fabric, fiberboard, or other materials, and the bottom layer 20. The bottom layer includes a longitudinal slit 22 that will be discussed further below.

In order to build the shoe, the layers are assembled atop one another and aligned properly. The layers may be glued or stitched together, or may be merely aligned without any further attachment means at this point in the construction. The thong posts 40, 42 are extended through the opening in the top layer 10 and splayed horizontally as shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the distal ends of the thong straps, or posts, are extended to a position adjacent the perimeter of the sole where they are ultimately stitched or glued to the sole. In one embodiment, the thong posts are stitched to the sole via a line of stitching forming an arc about the toe end of the sole, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the thong posts and heel ends of the thong straps are captured within a stitch 70 that forms a general outline of the shape of a foot, generally slightly inward from the perimeter of the shoe.

An outsole layer 50 is attached to the bottom side of the bottom sole layer 20. At this point in the manufacturing process, that is, before the layers are all stitched together, the outsole layer 50 may be partially tack-stitched to the bottom sole layer 20 to aid in ultimate alignment of the shoe.

Once the layers are all properly positioned and aligned atop one another, the top sole layer 10 and bottom sole layer 20 are stitched or otherwise attached to one another around the outside perimeter of the layers. The heel ends of the thong straps 30, 32 are also sandwiched between the top sole layer and bottom sole layer, thereby stitching them to the shoe between these two layers. The peripheral stitching joining the top and bottom sole layers may extend through the internal layers 12, or may, alternatively, pass through only the top and bottom sole layers. If the stitching passes only through the top and bottom sole layers, the internal layers will be smaller in area than the top and bottom sole layers.

Once the top and bottom sole layers have been sewn together, the shoe includes an exposed stitching seam. The shoe is then turned inside out in order to hide the stitching inside the shoe. In order to turn the shoe inside out, the inside of the shoe is pulled out through the slit 22 within the bottom sole layer 20, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which depict the inside-out turning process partially completed.

After the shoe has been turned fully inside-out, the slit 22 in the bottom sole layer 20 will remain accessible, though beneath the outsole layer 50. In order to complete the shoe, the outsole layer 50 is secured to the bottom sole layer 20 (preferably by stitching or gluing) to permanently conceal the slit. The stitching on the outsole layer 50 may extend entirely through all shoe layers, or may only join the outsole layer 50 to the bottom sole layer 20 and/or one or more interior layers.

The finished shoe therefore has many layers joined together, but with all of the stitched seams turned inward to produce a durable, aesthetically pleasing shoe. Depending on the materials chosen and the number of layers used, the shoe may be as flexible or rigid as desired, and as soft or firm as desired. Additional cosmetic stitching, printing, beads, or other elements may optionally be provided on the shoe sole or thong.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

1. A shoe comprising: a top sole layer; a bottom sole layer stitched to the top sole layer such that the stitching is contained substantially within an area defined by the top sole layer and the bottom sole layer; and a thong strap attached to the shoe.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional layer of material between the top sole layer and the bottom sole layer.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a outsole layer attached to the bottom sole layer.
 4. The shoe of claim 3, further comprising a slit within the bottom sole layer configured to enable the top sole layer and bottom sole layer to be turned inside-out through the slit, and further wherein the outsole layer is attached to the bottom sole layer such that the slit is covered.
 5. A shoe comprising: a top sole layer; a bottom sole layer; a means for attaching the top sole layer to the bottom sole layer, the means for attaching being contained substantially within an area defined by the top sole layer and the bottom sole layer; and a thong strap attached to the shoe.
 6. The shoe of claim 5, further comprising at least one additional layer of material between the top sole layer and the bottom sole layer.
 7. The shoe of claim 5, further comprising a outsole layer attached to the bottom sole layer.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, further comprising a slit within the bottom sole layer configured to enable the top sole layer and bottom sole layer to be turned inside-out through the slit, and further wherein the outsole layer is attached to the bottom sole layer such that the slit is covered. 